---
kind: "range"
citation: "14 C.F.R. §§ 420.63–420.69"
title: "14"
from: "420.63"
to: "420.69"
count: 5
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/14/420.63..420.69"
---

# §420.63. Explosive siting.

- (a) Except as otherwise provided by [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section, a licensee must ensure the configuration of the launch site follows its explosive site plan, and the licensee's explosive site plan complies with the requirements of [§§ 420.65 through 420.70](/cfr/14/420.65..420.70.md). The explosive site plan must include:
  - (1) A scaled map that shows the location of all explosive hazard facilities at the launch site and that shows actual and minimal allowable distances between each explosive hazard facility and all other explosive hazard facilities, each public traffic route, and each public area, including the launch site boundary;
  - (2) A list of the maximum quantity of energetic liquids, solid propellants and other explosives to be located at each explosive hazard facility, including explosive class and division;
  - (3) A description of each activity to be conducted at each explosive hazard facility; and
  - (4) An explosive site map using a scale sufficient to show whether distances and structural relationships satisfy the requirements of this part.
- (b) A licensee operating a launch site located on a federal launch range does not have to comply with the requirements in [§§ 420.65 through 420.70](/cfr/14/420.65..420.70.md) if the licensee complies with the federal launch range's explosive safety requirements.
- (c) For explosive siting issues not addressed by the requirements of [§§ 420.65 through 420.70](/cfr/14/420.65..420.70.md), a launch site operator must clearly and convincingly demonstrate a level of safety equivalent to that otherwise required by this part.
- (d) A launch site operator may separate an explosive hazard facility from another explosive hazard facility, public area, or public traffic route by a distance different from one required by this part only if the launch site operator clearly and convincingly demonstrates a level of safety equivalent to that required by this part.

# §420.65. Separation distance requirements for handling division 1.1 and 1.3 explosives.

- (a) **Quantity.** For each explosive hazard facility, a launch site operator must determine the total quantity of division 1.1 and 1.3 explosives as follows:
  - (1) A launch site operator must determine the maximum total quantity of division 1.1 and 1.3 explosives by class and division, in accordance with [49 CFR part 173](/cfr/49/part173.md), [Subpart C](/cfr/14/subpartC.md), to be located in each explosive hazard facility where division 1.1 and 1.3 explosives will be handled.
  - (2) When division 1.1 and 1.3 explosives are located in the same explosive hazard facility, the total quantity of explosive must be treated as division 1.1 for determining separation distances; or, a launch site operator may add the net explosive weight of the division 1.3 items to the net explosive weight of division 1.1 items to determine the total quantity of explosives.
- (b) **Separation of division 1.1 and 1.3 explosives and determination of distances.** A launch site operator must separate each explosive hazard facility where division 1.1 and 1.3 explosives are handled from all other explosive hazard facilities, all public traffic routes, and each public area, including the launch site boundary, by a distance no less than that provided for each quantity and explosive division in appendix E of this part as follows:
  - (1) For division 1.1 explosives, the launch site operator must use tables E-1, E-2, and E-3 of appendix E of this part to determine the distance to each public area and public traffic route, and to determine each intraline distance.
  - (2) For division 1.3 explosives, the launch site operator must use table E-4 of appendix E of this part to determine the distance to each public area and public traffic route, and to determine each intraline distance.
- (c) **Separation distance by weight and table.** A launch site operator must:
  - (1) Employ no less than the public area distance, calculated under [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section, to separate an explosive hazard facility from each public area, including the launch site boundary.
  - (2) Employ no less than an intraline distance to separate an explosive hazard facility from all other explosive hazard facilities used by a single customer. For explosive hazard facilities used by different customers a launch site operator must use the greater public area distance to separate the facilities from each other.
  - (3) Separate each public area containing any member of the public in the open by a distance equal to −1133.9 + [389 *ln(NEW)], where the NEW is greater than 450 pounds and less than 501,500 pounds.
- (d) **NEW Quantities that Fall between Table Entries.** A launch site operator must, when determining a separation distance for NEW quantities that fall between table entries, use the equation provided by tables E-1, E-3, or E-4 of appendix E of this part.
- (e) **Calculating Maximum Permissible NEW Given a Distance. A launch site operator must, when determining—** a permissible quantity of explosives, calculate maximum permissible NEW using the equation of tables E-1, E-3, or E-4 of appendix E of this part.

# §420.66. Separation distance requirements for storage of hydrogen peroxide, hydrazine, and liquid hydrogen and any incompatible energetic liquids stored within an intraline distance.

- (a) **Separation of energetic liquids and determination of distances.** A launch site operator must separate each explosive hazard facility from each other explosive hazard facility, each public area, and each public traffic route in accordance with the minimum separation distance determined under this section for each explosive hazard facility storing:
  - (1) Hydrogen peroxide in concentrations of greater than 91 percent;
  - (2) Hydrazine;
  - (3) Liquid hydrogen; or
  - (4) **Any energetic liquid that is—**
    - (i) Incompatible with any of the energetic liquids of [paragraph (a)(1) through (3)](#a-1..a-3) of this section; and
    - (ii) **Stored within an intraline distance of any of them.**
- (b) **Quantity.** For each explosive hazard facility, a launch site operator must determine the total quantity of all energetic liquids in [paragraph (a)(1) through (4)](#a-1..a-4) of this section as follows:
  - (1) The quantity of energetic liquid in a tank, drum, cylinder, or other container is the net weight in pounds of the energetic liquid in the container. The determination of quantity must include any energetic liquid in associated piping to any point where positive means exist for:
    - (i) Interrupting the flow through the pipe, or
    - (ii) **Interrupting a reaction in the pipe in the event of a mishap.**
  - (2) A launch site operator must convert the quantity of each energetic liquid from gallons to pounds using the conversion factors provided in table E-6 of appendix E of this part and the following equation:
  - (3) Where two or more containers of compatible energetic liquids are stored in the same explosive hazard facility, the total quantity of energetic liquids is the total quantity of energetic liquids in all containers, unless:
    - (i) The containers are each separated from each other by the distance required by [paragraph (c)](#c) of this section; or
    - (ii) **The containers are subdivided by intervening barriers that prevent mixing, such as diking.**
  - (4) Where two or more containers of incompatible energetic liquids are stored within an intraline distance of each other, [paragraph (d)](#d) of this section applies.
- (c) **Determination of separation distances for compatible energetic liquids.** A launch site operator must determine separation distances for compatible energetic liquids as follows:
  - (1) To determine each intraline, public area, and public traffic route distance, a launch site operator must use the following tables in appendix E of this part:
    - (i) Table E-7 for hydrogen peroxide in concentrations of greater than 91 percent; and
    - (ii) **Table E-8 for hydrazine and liquid hydrogen.**
  - (2) For liquid hydrogen and hydrazine, a launch site operator must use the “intraline distance to compatible energetic liquids” for the energetic liquid that requires the greater distance under table E-8 of appendix E of this part as the minimum separation distance between compatible energetic liquids.
- (d) **Determination of separation distances for incompatible energetic liquids.** If incompatible energetic liquids are stored within an intraline distance of each other, a launch site operator must determine the explosive equivalent in pounds of the combined liquids as provided by [paragraph (d)(2)](#d-2) of this section unless intervening barriers prevent mixing.
  - (1) If intervening barriers prevent mixing, a launch site operator must separate the incompatible energetic liquids by no less than the intraline distance that tables E-7 and E-8 of appendix E of this part apply to compatible energetic liquids using the quantity or energetic liquid requiring the greater separation distance.
  - (2) A launch site operator must use the formulas provided in table E-5 of appendix E of this part, to determine the explosive equivalent in pounds of the combined incompatible energetic liquids. A launch site operator must then use the explosive equivalent in pounds requiring the greatest separation distance to determine the minimum separation distance between each explosive hazard facility and all other explosive hazard facilities and each public area and public traffic route as required by tables E-1, E-2 and E-3 of appendix E of this part.

# §420.67. Separation distance requirements for handling incompatible energetic liquids that are co-located.

- (a) **Separation of energetic liquids and determination of distances.** Where incompatible energetic liquids are co-located in a launch or reentry vehicle tank or other vessel, a launch site operator must separate each explosive hazard facility from each other explosive hazard facility, each public area, and each public traffic route in accordance with the minimum separation distance determined under this section for each explosive hazard facility.
- (b) **Quantity.** For each explosive hazard facility, a launch site operator must determine the total quantity of all energetic liquids as follows:
  - (1) The quantity of energetic liquid in a launch or reentry vehicle tank is the net weight in pounds of the energetic liquid. The determination of quantity must include any energetic liquid in associated piping to any point where positive means exist for:
    - (i) Interrupting the flow through the pipe; or
    - (ii) **Interrupting a reaction in the pipe in the event of a mishap.**
  - (2) A launch site operator must convert each energetic liquid's quantity from gallons to pounds using the conversion factors provided by table E-6 of appendix E of this part and the following equation:
- (c) **Determination of separation distances for incompatible energetic liquids.** A launch site operator must determine separation distances for incompatible energetic liquids as follows:
  - (1) A launch site operator must use the formulas provided in table E-5 of appendix E of this part, to determine the explosive equivalent in pounds of the combined incompatible energetic liquids; and
  - (2) A launch site operator must then use the explosive equivalent in pounds to determine the minimum separation distance between each explosive hazard facility and all other explosive hazard facilities and each public area and public traffic route as required by tables E-1, E-2 and E-3 of appendix E of this part. Where two explosive hazard facilities contain different quantities, the launch site operator must use the quantity of liquid propellant requiring the greatest separation distance to determine the minimum separation distance between the two explosive hazard facilities.
- (d) **Separation distance by weight and table.** For each explosive hazard facility, a launch site operator must:
  - (1) For an explosive equivalent weight from one pound through and including 450 pounds, determine the distance to any public area and public traffic route following table E-1 of appendix E of this part;
  - (2) For explosive equivalent weight greater than 450 pounds, determine the distance to any public area and public traffic route following table E-2 of appendix E of this part;
  - (3) Separate each public area containing any member of the public in the open by a distance equal to −1133.9 + [389 *ln(NEW)], where the NEW is greater than 450 pounds and less than 501,500 pounds;
  - (4) Separate each explosive hazard facility from all other explosive hazard facilities of a single customer using the intraline distance provided by table E-3 of appendix E of this part; and
  - (5) For explosive hazard facilities used by different customers, use the greater public area distance to separate the facilities from each other.

# §420.69. Separation distance requirements for co-location of division 1.1 and 1.3 explosives with liquid propellants.

- (a) **Separation of energetic liquids and explosives and determination of distances.** A launch site operator must separate each explosive hazard facility from each other explosive hazard facility, each public traffic route, and each public area in accordance with the minimum separation distance determined under this section for each explosive hazard facility where division 1.1 and 1.3 explosives are co-located with liquid propellants. A launch site operator must determine each minimum separation distance from an explosive hazard facility where division 1.1 and 1.3 explosives and liquid propellants are to be located together, to each other explosive hazard facility, public traffic route, and public area as described in [paragraphs (b) through (e)](#b..e) of this section.
- (b) **Liquid propellants and division 1.1 explosives located together.** For liquid propellants and division 1.1 explosives located together, a launch site operator must:
  - (1) Determine the explosive equivalent weight of the liquid propellants by following [§ 420.67(c)](/cfr/14/420.67.md?p=c);
  - (2) Add the explosive equivalent weight of the liquid propellants and the net explosive weight of division 1.1 explosives to determine the combined net explosive weight;
  - (3) Use the combined net explosive weight to determine the distance to each public area, public traffic route, and each other explosive hazard facility by following tables E-1, E-2, and E-3 of appendix E of this part; and
  - (4) Separate each public area containing any member of the public in the open by a distance equal to −1133.9 + [389 *ln(NEW)], where the net explosive weight is greater than 450 pounds and less than 501,500 pounds.
- (c) **Liquid propellants and division 1.3 explosives located together.** For liquid propellants and division 1.3 explosives located together, a launch site operator must separate each explosive hazard facility from each other explosive hazard facility, public area, and public traffic route using either of the following two methods:
  - (1) **Method 1.**
    - (i) Determine the explosive equivalent weight of the liquid propellants by following [§ 420.67(c)](/cfr/14/420.67.md?p=c);
    - (ii) Add to the explosive equivalent weight of the liquid propellants, the net explosive weight of each division 1.3 explosive, treating division 1.3 explosives as division 1.1 explosives;
    - (iii) Use the combined net explosive weight to determine the minimum separation distance to each public area, public traffic route, and each other explosive hazard facility by following tables E-1, E-2, and E-3 of appendix E of this part; and
    - (iv) Separate each public area containing any member of the public in the open by a distance equal to −1133.9 + [389 *ln(NEW)], where the net explosive weight is greater than 450 pounds and less than 501,500 pounds.
  - (2) **Method 2.**
    - (i) Determine the explosive equivalent weight of each liquid propellant by following [§ 420.67(c)](/cfr/14/420.67.md?p=c);
    - (ii) Add to the explosive equivalent weight of the liquid propellants, the net explosive weight of each division 1.3 explosive to determine the combined net explosive weight;
    - (iii) Use the combined net explosive weight to determine the minimum separation distance to each public area, public traffic route, and each other explosive hazard facility by following tables E-1, E-2, and E-3 of appendix E of this part; and
    - (iv) Separate each public area containing any member of the public in the open by a distance equal to −1133.9 + [389 *ln(NEW)], where the net explosive weight is greater than 450 pounds and less than 501,500 pounds.
- (d) **Liquid propellants and division 1.1 and 1.3 explosives located together.** For liquid propellants and division 1.1 and 1.3 explosives located together, a launch site operator must:
  - (1) Determine the explosive equivalent weight of the liquid propellants by following [§ 420.67(c)](/cfr/14/420.67.md?p=c);
  - (2) Determine the total explosive quantity of each division 1.1 and 1.3 explosive by following [§ 420.65(a)(2)](/cfr/14/420.65.md?p=a-2);
  - (3) Add the explosive equivalent weight of the liquid propellants to the total explosive quantity of division 1.1 and 1.3 explosives together to determine the combined net explosive weight;
  - (4) Use the combined net explosive weight to determine the distance to each public area, public traffic route, and each other explosive hazard facility by following tables E-1, E-2, and E-3 of appendix E of this part; and
  - (5) Separate each public area containing any member of the public in the open by a distance equal to −1133.9 + [389 *ln(NEW)], where the net explosive weight is greater than 450 pounds and less than 501,500 pounds
- (e) **Use of maximum credible event analysis.** If a launch site operator does not want to employ paragraphs [(b)](#b), [(c)](#c), or [(d)](#d) of this section, the launch site operator must analyze the maximum credible event (MCE) or the worst case explosion expected to occur. If the MCE shows there will be no simultaneous explosion reaction of the liquid propellant tanks and the solid propellant motors, the minimum distance between the explosive hazard facility and all other explosive hazard facilities and public areas must be based on the MCE.